Windows 7 boots to an unresponsive black screen with mouse cursor...

Anonymous

Started up the PC one day and it booted to a black screen. I didn't change the configuration in any way, it just happened suddenly.

What it does:

The PC turns on like normal. I get the bios screen. I get the Windows logo screen. Then I get a black screen with a mouse cursor in the middle.

I can move the mouse, but the buttons don't do anything--left or right click. No keys on the keyboard change the screen. Ctrl+Alt+Del does nothing. Windows key does nothing. Esc does nothing, etc. At this point the only option is to hold down the power button and turn it off.

What I've tried:

I tried to start it in safe mode, but the same thing happens. It shows the system files that are loading. The last file it shows loading is Windows/system32/DRIVERS/AtiPcie.sys then it goes to a black screen with a mouse cursor again; only this time it is in safe mode resolution so the mouse cursor is larger and not as sharp. Also, no keyboard strokes have any affect just as with normal mode.

It is a Dell Inspiron, so it came with an onboard repair utility. I used the Startup Repair tool, but it found no problems. The diagnostics tools found no issues with the hard drive or any of the other major system components. However, this error came up which appears to be related to the multi-card (SD, micro SD, etc.) reader on the front of the PC:

error code 4400:011A

msg:SCSI_1-000 DISK_generic-_SD/MMC - target not ready

It seems that this is unrelated to the black screen. I unplugged the card reader and still had the same problem. Otherwise, it passes all other tests the onboard diagnostic utility has including, memory tests, fan tests, hard drive tests, etc.

I have not, however, tried a full system restore yet. From what I've read in several forums, many have tried this in similar situations and still had the same problem. Since there are several files I'd rather not lose, I wanted to explore all other avenues.

Sorry if this is a repeat question in the forum. Most of the other situations seemed similar, but there was always something they could do that I could not, like press Ctrl+Alt+Del or boot into safe mode or whatever.

Here is as much of the system info that I can gather without having the PC on (not mine, I'm doing this for a friend):

-Dell Inspiron (I think it's a 570)

-OS: Windows 7 Home

-AMD Athlon II X2

-Integrated Video Card (I tried both the VGA output and the HDMI, which he normally uses, and both give the same results) ATI Radeon HD 4200

I hope I've been thorough enough to allow you to help me without wasting any of your time, and I thank you in advance.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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143 answers

Anonymous

2016-06-27T15:44:00+00:00

Mr. Wilber, I plugged in the unit & turned it on. It seemed to be working ok with the starting windows, etc. But then a screen comes on with two options 1) run repair & 2) Start Windows normally. When you click on that option it returns to the same screen. When I let option 1 run (it is indicated as the preferred), I get a screen with a box. The heading on the box is: WinRe Launcher.exe - Bad image. In the box it reads: x:\Windows\system 32\CST ERROR 64.dll is not designed to run on windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact system administrator or the software vender. Then there's "OK" in box, clk it returns you to the same screen. Either option on the screen gets you back to the same two choices. Like doing the same thing over & over will change something. I can't get beyond this screen. Prior to the 'repair person' having the PC I had tried F2 & F12 but got nowhere there either mostly because it's beyond my limited knowledge. (Apparently 'repair person' could not either.

Does this seem like any of your suggestions would help, or give you a clue as to what the problem is and how I can fix it? When it mentions to reinstall the program - I don't a) have it; b) know what they mean. I don't mean to get you back into this but any suggestions are appreciated, Trish
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Anonymous

2016-06-26T18:02:02+00:00

Mr Wilber, thanks for reply, will check out pg 3 for your instructions. Last I turned it on it had power, but would not respond to any attempts to boot, either F2 or F12. Haven't actually turned it on recently since got this new PC with Win 10 that I don't like and am still trying to find stuff. Most of what I cared about I'd transferred to ext hds so haven't lost that. But I did not know enough to back up programs that way also, so lost my edit programs and now need to replace them. Some of which I don't have dvds for. Thanks for your help. Trish
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Anonymous

2016-06-26T01:51:36+00:00

Trishe,

Go to page 3 of this post and you can see what I wrote. See if any of that helps.

How is the PC unresponsive? Does it have power? If so inserting a boot disk might work. If you do not have any power then I cannot help.

I hope you can get it working.

Mr Wilber
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Anonymous

2016-06-25T20:49:24+00:00

Mr Wilber, where would I find your instructions on this topic. I happily accept any and all suggestions. I have one dilemma though, currently the PC is unresponsive. So whether I download such as Kapersky or create your disk how do I get the PC to respond to either? Sorry t/b so dense, but I am trying to learn, I'll gladly read your suggestions. If I click on your name would I gain your explanations? Thank you, Trish
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Anonymous

2016-06-25T19:00:08+00:00

If you can go back and read my postings i detail how i was able to fix a similar problem. You will create a start up disk from a functioning pc which you run on the pc not working.
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